Trailer choices

[TripleR]

Gee from reading this I am surprised steel or single axle trailers are allowed to be built, sold or owned. Instead of concentrating on the "Gun Show Loophole" maybe congress should concern itself with the "Steel/Single Axle Trailer Loophole"; good grief.

 

[mow4fun]

Well, let me ask this then:

Can the leaves on a single axle itself be replaced to provide higher GVWR on a 6x12 or 6x14 trailer?

Hope I am not starting another uprise by asking this.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Well, let me ask this then:

Can the leaves on a single axle itself be replaced to provide higher GVWR on a 6x12 or 6x14 trailer?

Hope I am not starting another uprise by asking this.

Any question can start an uprise here. Just ask em and filter the responses to suit your application. In time you'll learn the responders that believe what they have is the only answer for everyone and the ones that what they don't have should be against the law for anyone else to have. Then you'll find a bunch of responders that give their experience and the good and bad they experienced. Some times you'll even see where someone has bought something that seems to be doing a good job for them and even sometimes someone will contribute an easier way to do something or fix something or make something that we all, well some of us want. Keep asking and stay on your feet to be prepared to duck from time to time or use the ole scroll down or delete key.

 

[megaboz]

Well I certainly hope no one thinks I am trying to put anyone down. That isn't my point.

My point is that get what you need to meet your needs, make sure it is safe for you and others on the road. If you buy a trailer just big enough to hold the tractor and keep the load as balanced as possible.

There are different factors to consider. If you are only hauling it 5 miles away, you can get away with a smaller lighter trailer, but if you are going to be hauling 100 miles a day (or something like that), then a better/bigger trailer might be wiser for safety and less wear and tear on the trailer because it is expected to haul heavier loads.

Adding stronger springs to the axles won't increase the weight capacity alone. The whole structure of the trailer may need to be upgraded. However it may be possible if the short cut to make a lighter weight trailer was only in the springs.

As for the "loop Holes", well I think the police agencies ought to look more into the people that overload the trailers and that do not have them properly loaded and improperly equiped tow vehicles. After all at 65 to 75 MPH, I consider them to be more unsafe then the people doing 90 down the interstate. I'm sure we have all seen the swaying trailers going down the road.

Also, when buying a trailer, be sure to make sure the tires that come on it are made to hold the weight. Those little wheelbarrow wheels don't cut it for heavy loads.

I found this link that has some information on laws for various states, HowStuffWorks "Trailer Towing Regulations"

 

[KeithInSpace]

There is a great trailer forum on this site that I frequent...those folks could answer your 'increasing capacity' question very accurately. If they don't own a Kubota, they may not pick up on this thread.

I've lived the dream with a 5' x 10' single axle trailer and did not enjoy it one bit for a vast variety of reasons.

There is a very slight chance that going 6' wide would make the trailer a bit more stable, but I'm not sure. I know my 5' wide trailer (rated at 3,500# capacity) was extremely tippy.

Another thing I'd consider VERY strongly is the lack of brakes. Pulling my 5' x 10' trailer sans brakes with my BX2230 with FEL and BoxBlade strapped thereon, my Expedition (capable of towing 9,000# with 4 piston floating calipers on huge vented disks in front and pretty good size pie dishes in back) had a small amount of trouble stopping the whole rig. Surprisingly heavy.

Though it seems like overkill for your truck, I'd get the lightest dual axle trailer you can find with wood deck and brakes on at least one axle. It will probably be rated for 7,000#, but just don't load it beyond the capabilities of your truck.

If you have one blowout or otherwise mess up using a small trailer (anything under 14' long and anything with a single axle I'm classifying as 'small'), adding the other $500 to get to a dual axle trailer will seem like the best money known to man.

Just my thoughts from past experience.

 

[radioman]

Hmm, adding more leafs to the trailer springs will help with the squatting, not the payload.Look at it this way- the axels and tires are the weakest link on the trailer.Before you start thinking about upgrading your current trailer to make it capable of a heavier load, not necessarly stronger- you need to look at the current rating of the axel and tires. Look at your tire rating and what does it say? lets say it rated for 1090 lbs. on a single axel its rated for 2000lbs for the trailer. adding more leafs springs will not increase the tire rating. Now what? usaully if you get better tires rated at 2000lbs each, you are usually looking at a different bolt on pattern to axel (sometimes another stud is added into the picture). OK now you got - new axels, tires, rims, leafs, reregister the trailer at higher weight rating, new vin number for trailer. For the trouble and cost, it will be more then just getting another trailer.

Sorry - I am sure this is not what you wanted to hear, not trying to spend your money, but actually hopefully I can help you save money for you the first time around.

Where is diamondpilot ? this is his favorite subject!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for the invite Radioman.

As for the original poster get a longer trailer than you think you need. It will be obvious when you go to balance the load. Also go for a dual axle trailer. There is a perfect trailer for you just down the road. Its 14' tandem with 2,000# axles for a total of 4,000# They guy can not sell it because its a specialty trailer for folks just like you but has a very limited market. I bet it would go cheap.

My experience in 20 plus years of dealing with trailers is used ones end up costing just as much as new ones. They usually need new tires, bearings, brakes, boards, paint, ect. Figure out what you need a pull the trigger. Get one with brakes and have the dealer wire your tow vehicle for trailer brakes. This should cost about $250 including the controller.

As for upgrading a current trailer it does not pay. Like others stated there will always be a weak link. Usually that is the tires. Sift through the info given here and make a wise choice. 95% of it is good and sound.

I did not catch what state you live in? I have a guide that can give me all the rules for each state and vehicle. All I need to know is the state and tow vehicles year, make, model, 4x4 or not, manual or auto, ect.

Looking at my manual its a 2010 4x4 Pilot. The max tow rating is 4,500#


Chris

 

[427ricky]

If your not going to get brakes on your 16' trailer, you should buy a bigger truck to be safe. The last thing you want is to run some one over because you could not stop. You will have a close call because ever if your cautious the other dum *** on the road will pull out in front of you and turn or stop. It's not fun gripping the wheel tightly and heading for the shoulder so you don't rearend some idiot.

 

[mow4fun]

I did not catch what state you live in? I have a guide that can give me all the rules for each state and vehicle. All I need to know is the state and tow vehicles year, make, model, 4x4 or not, manual or auto, ect.

Looking at my manual its a 2010 4x4 Pilot. The max tow rating is 4,500#


Chris

I am in NJ and the truck is a 2010 Honda Pilot AWD.

 

[megaboz]

I am in NJ and the truck is a 2010 Honda Pilot AWD.

Wow, with about a 4300 lb vehicle and towing about 3500 lbs (tractor plus trailer) not a real good weight ratio for a trailer without brakes. At least in my opinion.

Again may not be that big of a deal depending on when you do tow, distance towing, and terrain you will be towing on. Any steep mountain roads on gravel could be scary.

Once or twice a year usauge really doesn't point to the fact of getting a bigger trailer.

But as another poster mentioned, there is a lot of good info in this thread and most of it is pretty much true. There are a few experiences as well that hopefully gives you what you need to make a decision.

For towing a 4wheeler, a big trailer, like a 16 footer will look pretty funny. I have an 18' trailer and a 5x10, my 4wheeler looks funny on the big trailer:laughing:, but pretty much fills up the 5x10.